Paul Townend excelled as Cheltenham winner Jasmin De Vaux edged out Aintree victor Honesty Policy in a thrilling finish to the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.
A notoriously iffy jumper at the best of times, Jasmin De Vaux appeared to be coming to win the race before making a mistake at the final flight.
Townend lost his right iron shortly after landing and rather than try and get that one back, he kicked his left one out.
That enabled him to get into a position to ride the strongest finish possible as quickly as he could - and it was an inspired decision.
Mark Walsh had charted the inside course on Gordon Elliott's Honesty Policy, who lost little in defeat, as Townend swept around the outside.
It was Jasmin De Vaux (13-8 favourite), winner of last year's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham before this year's Albert Bartlett success, who had the greater speed on the flat, though, and won by half a length.
"It was a bit silly..." - Paul Townend explains what happened at the final hurdle before Jasmin De Vaux took the win.#rteracing
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Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "He just does it when he has to. He's not the world's best jumper. Paul asked him for a big one at the last, he gave it to him but he nearly tipped him out of the saddle.
"It was great jockeyship by Paul to stay in the saddle, with I think one iron probably.
"It's a fantastic achievement to get that done, get the job done. He did what needed to be done.
"He's got a huge engine, maybe he'll jump fences better - I don't know.
"If you can just get him near the winning post, get him over his hurdles without losing too much ground, he's able to make it up on the flat."
David Pipe's Thanksforthehelp made it three UK-based winners in just two days at the Punchestown Festival when coming with a powerful run after the last to land the Adare Manor Opportunity Series Final Handicap Hurdle.
Pipe, whose American Sniper also ran well to finish sixth under a big weight, was adding to wins for Mike Smith and Harry Derham on the opening day.
Thanksforthehelp (14-1) was one of five runners in the race for his owner JP McManus, who sponsored the race, and it was the blue capped runner who led them home under Gavin Brouder.
"On his day, he's a decent horse. He probably could have done with the ground being a bit softer but Gavin Brouder gave him a great ride and he battled strongly, and was very brave today," said Pipe.
"We thought he had a decent each-way chance. We had two in the race and the other one finished sixth, he ran well.
"It's lovely to get a winner for JP. We've had some nice winners here in the past and it's great to have another one."
